Match-box



(Model.)

s. W. 1101er.

MATCH BOX.

Patented Jen. 20,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

SETH WARNER HOAG, OF GRAND ISLE, VERMONT.`

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 311,129, dated January20, 1885.

Application iled February 29, 1834.

.To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, SETH WARNER Hons, a citizen of the United States,residing at Grand Isle, in the county of Grand Isle and State ofVermont, have invented a new and useful Match-Box, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had to lthe accompanyingdrawings.

My invention relates to match-boxes; and it has for its object toprovide a device of this character whereby a card or strip of woodpreviously dipped in a combustible composition is automatically cut tothe proper size, lighted, and then placed within easy access of theuser.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means forautomatically feeding the card of matches to the cutter.

A further object of the invention is to proi vide improved meansforautomatically return ing the cutter to its normal position.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means forautomatically lighting the matches, thus obviating the liability of aperson to scratch matches upon the furniture or walls throughcarelessness or otherwise. 4

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter which shall be simple in its construction and effective anddurable in use.

With these ends in view the invention consists in the combination, witha suitable box, of a platform or tray for holding a card of matches, andmeans for automatically feeding the same to the cutter.

The invention further consists in the combination, with a suitable boxor casing, of a sliding cutter, and means for automatically feeding thecard of matches to the same.

The invention further consists in the combination, with a Asuitable boxor casing, of a sliding cutter, and means for automatically returningthe same to its normal position after a match has been cut.

The invention further consists in the combinationfwith a suitable box orcasing, of a sliding cutter, and a suitably-arranged serrated plate,whereby the matches are automatically ignited. i The invention furtherconsists in the combination, with a suitable box or casing, of a(Model.)

sliding cutter, a serrated plate for igniting the' of Fig. 2, and Fig. 5is a detached view in per` spective of the feeding-roller.

In the accolnpanying drawings, in which like letters refer tocorresponding parts throughout the several' figures, A represents a boxor casing, which is made of cast metal, though wood or other materialmay be used in the construction of the same. Upon the rear of this boxor casing A, and in the sides thereof, are formed grooves, in whichslides the cutter B. This cutter B is provided on its inner side, andnear the top of the same,with a projecting portion, a, which is formedwith a recess, a', and an opening uponits side, a2. The

recess in this projecting portion a is adapted to receive the end of acoil-spring, G, the other end of which is secured in a projecting lug,c, formed in one corner of the box,near thefront end thereof. Thisspring is for the purpose of returning the cutter to its normal positionafter it has been depressed to cut and ignite a match.

Upon the inner side of the sliding plate B, and near the edges thereof,are provided brackets or stop-lugs D, which engage withoutwardly-projecting lugs D, formed upon the inner sides of the box, andthus limit the vertical movement of the sliding cutter `further than toallow of its proper working.

E represents a strip of spring metal, which is secured at its upper endto the inner side of the sliding cutter B, and having its lower end bentoutwardly to form a hook portion, c', for a purpose to be explained.Upon the lower inner corners of the sliding cutter B are providedoutwardly-projecting brackets e, which are recessed or cut away at aboutthe center of their length, forming a IOC seat, f, which, when thematches are cut, carries them to the bottom of the box or casing withineasy reach of the user.

F represents a platform,upon which is placed the card or strip ofmatches to be cut. The rear upper edge of this plat-form is providedwith a cutting-edge, g, and adownwardly-projecting strip, g.

G represents a feed-roller, which is mounted in the sides of the box,and which is provided with rubber disks H, near the ends of the same.Upon the center of this roller G is provided a milled disk, I, which,when theV critter is depressed, is engaged by the strip of spring metal,E, which partially rotates the same far enough to feed the card ofmatches automatically forward the width or thickness of an ordinarymatch.

J represents a serrated spring, which is secured to the inner side ofthe box or easing A just below the point occupied by thebrackets e whenthe device is in its normal or raised position, so that when the cutteris depressed the end of the match will project from the side of theseatf, and will be ignited by contact with said plate.

K represents prongs or arms, which receive the match after it has beenreleased from the seat f, and which are secured to the bottom or iioorof the casing o1' box A.

L represents a tray for containing` a supply of the card matches, whichis secured in grooves in the inner sides of the box or casing A, justabove the platform F.

-The operation is as follows: Astrip or card of matches is placed uponthe platform, with a sufficient portion of the same under the roller toinsure it being properly fed forward. The top of the cutter is thenforced down by a quick blow, which cuts a match and carries it in theseat f to the serrated plate, with which it is brought in contact, thusigniting the same. The match, as soon as it passes the platform, whenthe sliding cutter is depressed, drops from said seat and falls upon theupwardly-proj ecting pron 0s or arms, from which it may be taken foruse, the sliding critter being returned to position by means of thecoil-spring before described.

It will be readily seen from the above description that by the use of myinvention the matches are out, ignited, and thrown within easy reach ofthe user. It will also be seen that its operation is simple andeffective.

It will also be obvious that many slight changes in the details ofconstruction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of myinvention; hence I would have it understood that I do not limit myselfto the precise construction shown and described, but reserve to myselfthe right to make all such slight changes and alterations as mayproperly fall within the scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecureby Letters Patent, is-

l. In a match-box for automatically lighting matches, the combination,with a suitable box or casing, of a platform or tray for holding thematches, a sliding cutter, and means for automatically feeding thematches thereto, substantially as set forth.

2. In a box for automaticallylighting matches, the combination, with asuitable box or casing, of a sliding cutter, a tray for holding thematches, means for automatically feeding the matches to said cutter, anda lighting device, substantially as set forth.

3. In a box for automatically lighting matches, the combination, with asuitable box or casing, of a sliding cutter and a lighting device, andmeans for automatically returning the same to its normal position aftera match has been cut, substantially as set forth.

4. In a box for automatically lighting matches, the combination, with asuitable box or casing, of a sliding cutter and suitably-arrangedserrated plate, substantially as set forth.

5. In abox for automaticallylighting matches, the combination, with asuitable box or casing, of a sliding cutter provided on its innersidewith outwardly-projecting lugs, and lugs projecting outwardly from theinner sides of said box or casing, substantially as set forth.

6. In abox for antomaticallylighting matches, the combination, with asuitable box or casing, of a sliding cutter, a serrated plate forigniting the matches, and upwardly-projecting arms tvo-receive the sameafter ignition,

substantially as set forth.

7.. In a box for automatically lighting matches, the combination, with asuitable box or casing, of a cutter sliding in guides formed on the rearside thereof, a coil-spring secured to the upper end of said cutter, itsother end being secured to the inner side of the casing, and lugs formedupon the inner side of the casing adapted to engage lugs projectingoutwardly from the sliding cutter, substantially as set forth.

8. In a match-box for automatically lighting matches, the combination,with a sliding cutter, of a platform or tray for holding a card ofmatches, and roller for feeding the same to the cutter, substantially asset forth.

9. In a match-box for automatically lighting matches,` the combination,with a sliding cutter, of a platform for holding a card of matches, anda roller mounted in the sides of the box, said roller being providedwith rubloer disks, whereby the matches are automatically fed to thecutter at each downward stroke of the same, substantially as set forth.

l0. In a match-box for automatically lighting matches, the combination,with a sliding cutter having a strip of spring metal secured to itsinner side, the lower or free end of which is bent outwardly, of aplatform for holding the matches, anda roller having bearings in thesides of the casing, said roller hav- IOO IIO

ing a serrated disk to engage the end of the said spring, substantiallyas set forth.

l1. In a match-box for automatically lighting matches, the combinationof a sliding cutter having a strip of spring metal secured at its upperend to the inner side thereof, the lower or free end being bentoutwardly, said cutter being also provided with brackets at its lowerends,which are provided with transverse slots, and a roller,substantially as set forth. 12. In a match-box for automaticallylightingmatches, the combination, with a sliding cutter provided at itslowercorners with brackets having transverse slots, of a platform having adownwardly-projecting strip,whereby a match is held in said slots untilthe lower end of the said strip has been reached, substantially as setforth.

13. In a match-box for automatically lighting matches, the combination,with a sliding cutter having a strip of spring metal secured at itsupper end to the inner side thereof, the lower or free end being bentoutwardly, said cutter being also provided at its lower corners withbrackets having transverse slots, of a platform having a downwardlyprojecting strip at its front end, and a roller provided at about itscenter with a serrated disk, substantially as set forth.

14. In a match-box for automatically'lighting matches, the combination,with a sliding cutter having a strip of spring metal secured at itsupper end to the inner side thereof, the lower or free end being bentoutwardly, said cutter being also provided at its lower corners withbrackets having transverse slots, of a platform having a downwardlyprojecting strip at its front end, a roller provided at about its centerwith a serrated disk, and a serrated plate secured to the inner side ofthe casing just below said platform, substantially as set forth.

15. I n a match-box for automaticallylighting matches, the combination,with a sliding cutter having a strip of spring metal secured at itsupper end to the inner side thereof, the lower or free end being bentoutwardly, said cutter being also provided at its lower corners withbrackets having transverse slots, of a u platform having a downwardlyprojecting strip at its front end, a roller having a centrally-locatedserrated disk, a serrated plate secured to the inner side of the casing,and arms projecting upwardly from the floor thereof, substantially asset forth.

16. In a match-box for automatically lighting matches, the combination,with a suitable box or casing, of asliding cutter, a feed-roller, andaspring for actuating said feed-roller at each downward stroke of thecutter, substantially, as set forth. I

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

SETH VARNER HOAG.

Witnesses:

A. H. W. JACKSON, MARIA-1 JACKSON.

